Some Thoughts for Investigating Committees

Articles - Investigative Committee

What qualities must a man have before he is qualified to become a member of what has historically been a very elite group of good men that we call Masons? He must be worthy and well qualified, but what does that mean? It is the function of Masonry to make good men better, but making good men is beyond our power or scope. A man hoping to become a Mason must bring something to the table, but what? In my mind it is character. The people that I admired, if not emulated, in my youth who were Masons, and proudly wore the square and compasses, had character. So do most of the Masons sitting in lodges today. That is why I wanted to become a member of this fraternity. But how do we define and most importantly recognize a man with character?

The ritual tells us exactly what to look for in a prospective Masons, and in true Masonic tradition successfully hides it unless you are willing to take the time to read and study it. The points of your entrance are what I feel a man must have addressed before becoming a Mason. The points of your entrance are four: namely, the guttural, pectoral, manual, and pedal (clear as mud so far but wait) and allude to the four cardinal virtues of Masonry, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice. The practice of these four virtues along with a belief in God defines, in my mind, a good man and would qualify him to become a Mason.

Temperance

Temperance is that due restraint upon our affections and passions which renders the body tame and governable and frees the mind from allurements of vice. It goes on to say that he should be taught to avoid excess or the contracting of any licentious or vicious habit. Meaning he is not encumbered by them when he joins.

Some things to watch for in the interview that may lead to an unfavorable finding are:

Excessive use of alcohol that will prevent him from fulfilling his obligations to his God, family, community or himself.
The abuse of drugs the purpose for which is to distort reality, and leads to the neglect of personal and social responsibilities.
Any obsession with pornography, gambling, or any other vice that compromises or inhibits the duties he has to his family or himself and will prevent him from becoming a just and upright Mason.
The constant use of profanity or obscenity which indicates a low moral standard, a disregard for others and a week or lazy mind. These traits are not consistent with Masonry.

Personal knowledge or experience of these or other vices will not, in my mind, make a person ineligible to become a Mason. But when they become a controlling factor in a person’s life he is not yet ready to be a Mason and may never be.

Fortitude

Fortitude is that noble and steady purpose of mind where we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger when prudentially deemed expedient. Fortitude to me means having the strength of charter to set goals and then achieve them.

People with no fortitude are easy to spot:

They always have an excuse for why they haven't done something that would improve their lives or the welfare of the people they are responsible for.
They say they will do great things, be there to help etc. but something always comes up.
They think that people are always plotting or acting against them, their boss, family, friends, government, on and on.
It’s never their lack of effort that keeps them down, but the mean and dastardly deeds of others that are to blame for their failures and shortcomings.

Men that set a goal or make a commitment and stick to it will make good Masons. Men who through their own effort can and do meet there responsibilities to their family, friends and community are who we are looking for. Men who when confronted with an obstacle find a way over, under, around or finds a way to destroy it are truly Masonic Material.

Prudence

Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason, and is that habit by which we wisely judge, and prudently determine, on all things relative to our present as well as our future happiness.

Things to look for in a prudent man are:

A man who is a good steward of his time and resources.
He will not take on more than he can achieve, nor does he allow himself enough time to be lazy.
He picks his friends, and his enemies, wisely and will not get involved in no win situations.
A prudent man gets a new job before he quits his old one.
He doesn't spend more money than he earns and avoids things that may come back to haunt him.
A prudent man makes plans, thinks about what needs to be done, then finds a way to do them.
He supports his family and has a little set away for a rainy day.

Prudent people are the back bone of any society and are the men we want as Masonic Brothers.

Justice

Justice is that standard or boundary of right which enables us to render unto every man his just due without distinction. This virtue is not only consistent with divine and human laws, but is the very cement and support of civil society.

The traits to look for in just men are:

Not believing what is said about someone but what you know to be true.
Paying or giving what is due without needing to be reminded.
Holding himself to the same standard as he uses to judge others.
Treating all beings and creatures with respect.
Not intentionally hurting other people’s feelings or depriving them of dignity.
Refusing to stand by and watch while bullies try to harm or hurt others.

An unjust person should never be allowed to become a Mason.

Men who do not posses and practice the virtues of temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice could not understand nor practice the many teachings that we call the Mysteries of Masonry. We should never lower the standards of what was historically the Brotherhood of Masons, a group of men worthy of respect and admiration, men of integrity in whom you could justifiably trust. To lower these standards will not lead to more members, but will surly destroy the fraternity?